Hummingbirds are attracted to the color red, so red feeders are commonly used. However, research shows that other colors may be equally or more effective. The key factors in hummingbird feeder color are visibility, heat absorption, and matching natural food sources.
Quick Facts on Hummingbird Vision and Color Preference
Here are some quick facts on hummingbird vision and color preference:
– Hummingbirds see color very well. They have excellent color vision and can see into the ultraviolet spectrum.
– Hummingbirds are naturally attracted to the color red and other bright colors due to their good color vision. Red resembles the color of many natural nectar sources.
– However, research indicates hummingbirds do not have an innate preference for the color red. They will learn to associate whatever color feeder with a food source.
– Hummingbirds have very good memory and will remember reliable food locations. The color helps them quickly identify feeders.
– While red is common, other colors like orange, yellow, or pink are equally or more effective in attracting hummingbirds.
– Bright colors, regardless of shade, help the feeders stand out and be visible to hummingbirds.
Heat Absorption and Plastic Degradation
One downside of using red feeders is that the dark color tends to absorb heat. This can lead to faster degradation of plastic feeders. Bright red feeders may be more prone to cracking, warping, and leaking.
Lighter and more reflective colors like yellow or orange absorb less heat. This helps maintain the integrity of the plastic in hot weather. Less heat absorption also keeps the nectar cooler and slower to spoil.
Metal feeders do not have this problem, though brightly colored paint can fade over time. However, the durability and longevity of metal feeders make them ideal for constant outdoor use.
Hummingbird Preferences by Region
Research suggests that hummingbird color preference may vary slightly by geographic region:
- In the Southwest United States, orange and yellow seem to attract the most birds.
- In the Northeast, bright pink or red is recommended by experts to attract ruby-throated hummingbirds.
- On the West Coast, both red and yellow get good results for attracting Anna’s and Allen’s hummingbirds.
This may be due to what colors of flowers are abundant in each region and what colors the local hummingbirds are accustomed to feeding from.
Best All-Around Hummingbird Feeder Colors
While red is the traditional choice, other options may work just as well or better:
Color | Benefits |
---|---|
Red | Typical color that attracts hummingbirds. Easy for them to identify as a food source. |
Orange | Visible color that stands out, less prone to heat damage than red plastic. |
Yellow | Very visible, matches color of many tubular flowers, less heat absorption than darker colors. |
Pink | Also visible and resembles flowers like fuchsias and trumpet vines that attract hummingbirds. |
Purple | Less common but still attractive to hummingbirds and visible against green foliage. |
Blue | Rarely found in nature so less attractive to hummingbirds, but still visible. |
The best approach is offering a mix of feeder colors to give hummingbirds options. Rotate different colored feeders to observe which gets more activity in your yard.
Tips for Visibility
Here are some tips to make your hummingbird feeder as visible as possible:
- Choose a bright color like red, orange, or yellow that stands out against its surroundings.
- Get a feeder with some white or contrasting patterns, which helps them recognize it against various backdrops.
- Place it near brightly colored flowers that will also catch their eye and draw them to that area.
- Situate feeders in sunlight rather than shade to maximize the vibrancy of the colors.
- Hang higher to make the feeder visible from a distance – from 5 feet up to 25 feet is ideal.
- Avoid placing feeders right in front of dense foliage or surfaces where they can blend in.
Matching Natural Food Sources
Hummingbirds get most of their nutrition from flowering plants in the wild. Choosing feeder colors that match the tubular blossoms they naturally feed from can help them recognize it as a food source.
Some examples of hummingbird-pollinated flowers and corresponding feeder colors include:
- Trumpet vine – orange, red
- Fuchsia – pink, purple
- Cardinal flower – red
- Foxglove – pink, purple
- Columbine – yellow, orange, red
- Impatiens – orange
- Petunia – purple, pink
Research indicates that red and orange are the most effective at mimicking flowers, with yellow also highly visible. However, any bright color will attract hummingbirds.
Tips for Multiple Feeders
The best approach is offering several feeders in a mix of different colors. Here are tips for multiple feeders:
- Try a combination of red, orange, yellow to appeal to the largest number of hummers.
- Separate feeders at least 5-10 feet apart so more birds can feed at once.
- Elevate some feeders and leave some lower to the ground to accommodate daring flyers and timid ones.
- Clean and rotate feeders to find which placement and color gets preferred.
- Use a feeder with perches to allow resting between sips.
- Include a window feeder for easy viewing without disrupting outdoor feeders.
Having four or more feeders gives hummingbirds more feeding opportunities and minimizes squabbles.
Conclusion
While red is the traditionally recommended color, other bright colors like orange, yellow, and pink attract hummingbirds equally well. The most important factors are visibility against the background, heat absorption of plastic feeders, and mimicking flowers the birds feed from in nature.
Multiple feeders in an assortment of colors allows you to experiment to find the optimal setup. But any brightly colored nectar feeder in a visible location will bring delight as hummingbirds quickly learn to associate it with tasty food.